Describe The Quality Improvement Process And Quality Mod
Describe the quality improvement process and the Quality model that will be used as a basis for the practice problem
Please see all attachments as they contain all necessary information for this assignment. The assignment requires integrating previous week submissions, including the practice problem identified in week 1 and evidence analysis from week 2, into a comprehensive 3-4 page paper, excluding the title page and references. The paper must adhere to APA 7th edition formatting and cite scholarly sources published within the last five years. The submission should include a description of the quality improvement process, the quality model chosen as a foundation for the practice problem, and a discussion of quality improvement tools to be utilized, referencing Spath (2018) chapter 6 for examples. Justification for selecting the specific process and model must be documented with scholarly references. This segment should focus solely on the description of the process, the model, and relevant tools, not the entire quality improvement plan, which will be developed in week 4.
Paper For Above instruction
The ongoing pursuit of enhancing healthcare quality necessitates a structured and systematic approach to identifying problems, analyzing evidence, and implementing improvements. The chosen quality improvement process for this project is the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, a widely recognized model that facilitates iterative testing of changes in clinical settings (Langley et al., 2021). The PDSA cycle's cyclical nature allows healthcare practitioners to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on a small scale before broader implementation, thereby minimizing risks and promoting continuous quality enhancement (Spath, 2018).
The selection of the PDSA model for this practice problem stems from its flexibility, simplicity, and proven efficacy in various healthcare environments. Unlike more complex models such as Lean or Six Sigma, PDSA offers a straightforward framework suitable for practitioners new to quality improvement initiatives (Benneyan et al., 2020). Its emphasis on incremental testing aligns with the need for cautious, evidence-based modifications that can be monitored and adjusted accordingly.
Supporting the choice of the PDSA cycle is its alignment with the model of continuous quality improvement (CQI), which underscores the importance of ongoing assessment and refinement of clinical practices (Shortell & Kaluzny, 2019). The model encourages team-based participation, data-driven decision-making, and transparent communication—all essential for meaningful improvements in patient outcomes. Moreover, this process accommodates varied organizational contexts, making it adaptable across different healthcare settings.
As part of the quality improvement tools, fishbone diagrams, Pareto charts, and process mapping will be incorporated into the plan (Spath, 2018). Fishbone diagrams help identify root causes of problems, whereas Pareto charts prioritize issues based on their frequency or impact, enabling focused interventions. Process mapping provides a visual representation of workflows, highlighting inefficiencies and opportunities for redesign. The rationale for selecting these tools lies in their proven ability to illuminate complex processes, facilitate team understanding, and guide targeted improvement strategies.
In conclusion, selecting the PDSA cycle as the foundational quality improvement process offers flexibility, clarity, and an evidence-based framework suitable for addressing the identified clinical practice problem. When combined with diagnostic tools like fishbone diagrams, Pareto charts, and process maps, this approach creates a structured pathway for testing, implementing, and sustaining enhancements in healthcare quality. As the subsequent phases of the project unfold, this process will serve as a reliable foundation for developing a comprehensive quality improvement plan that aims to improve patient care outcomes effectively.
References
- Benneyan, J. C., Lloyd, R. C., & Plsek, P. E. (2020). Statistical process control quality management in healthcare. Quality Management in Healthcare, 29(4), 165-170.
- Langley, G. J., Moen, R., Nolan, K. M., Nolan, T. W., Norman, C. L., & Provost, L. P. (2021). The Improvement Guide: A Practical Approach to Enhancing Organizational Performance. Wiley.
- Spath, P. (2018). Quality Improvement and Accreditation in Healthcare (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
- Shortell, S. M., & Kaluzny, A. D. (2019). Continuous Quality Improvement in Health Care. Jossey-Bass.